Fontel Mines, who spent five seasons working with Danny Rocco on the University of Richmond offensive staff, was named to the University of Delaware football staff on Jan. 5, 2017.

He left Delaware in April, 2017 to take an assistant coaching position at James Madison.

A 2007 graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in anthropology, Mines coached the wide receivers and served as the staff’s recruiting coordinator during his short stint.

Growing up in Richmond, Va., Mines was a standout at Hermitage High School before heading to Virginia to star at wideout for the Cavaliers. His playing career took him into the NFL for four years with the Chicago Bears before he transitioned to the coaching side, where he has become one of the nation’s rising stars at the NCAA FCS level.

During his tenure, the Spiders set nearly every school passing record, consistently ranked among the Colonial Athletic Association and national leaders in scoring offense and total offense, and produced numerous all-conference and All-American performers.

He coached the UR wide receivers during the 2012-13 seasons, moved over to tight ends coach in 2014, and returned to work with the wideouts his final two seasons in 2015-16. He also served as the staff’s director of high school relations during his tenure.

Mines saw three of the four best seasons ever by wide receivers at Richmond, including three-time All-American Brian Brown, who finished his career in 2016 as the record-holder in every statistical category in program history and ranks as eighth all-time with 4,203 career yards.

In 2016, Brown set program records with 1,485 yards and 11 receiving TDs en route to his third straight All-CAA and All-American honors. He also was named the best pass-catcher in the Commonwealth of Virginia by the TD Club of Richmond.

Under Mines’ tutelage, two Spiders earned professional contracts with Ben Edwards (Giants) and Reggie Diggs (Redskins) both signing free agent deals after their time at Richmond.

Five different Spiders have earned multiple All-CAA accolades under Mines’ guidance with Diggs (twice), Edwards (twice), Brown (three times), Stephen Barnette (twice) and Tyler Wilkins all earning All-CAA honors during their time at Richmond.

Mines participated in the Minority Internship with the Washington Redskins during the 2015 preseason and coached in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl later that same year.

Prior to his time at Richmond, Mines spent the 2011 working as an assistant at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C. with the wide receivers and tight ends.

As a player, Mines played four years with the Cavaliers. During his time in Charlottesville, he made 20 starts, recording 68 catches for 737 yards and five touchdowns.

Following his career at UVA, he signed a free agent deal with the Chicago Bears. He played four seasons at tight end for the Bears before injuries cut his playing career short.

Mines spent a season coaching at his alma mater Hermitage High School in 2010 before heading to the collegiate ranks.